Film Archive

August: Osage County (2013)

Moody Moppet

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August: Osage County tell the story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. (via IMDB)

I stumbled upon this film this morning while sneezing and flicking through the channels. I started watching it from the middle. A few hours later I watched the beginning. What a crooked way to watch a film. I almost sat this one out, but it turned out to be pretty damn good! I completely underestimated it.

The overall mood is quite morbid. An old dark house full of generations of well stored secrets, covered windows, secluded area and August heat. Love and affection come in very small portions, but somehow there’s still a sense of family. It’s not hard to notice constant shifts between love and hate when often someone shoots an insult. The film’s well blended with humor and dark sarcasm which lightens it up a lot. It’s like no one has any filters and everyone say whatever the hell they want. I found it to be refreshing and a little inspiring even, not to mention funny.

This film deserves praises for its cast alone. Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Shepard, Dermot Mulroney and Julianne Nicholson just to name a few. Meryl Streep never seize to amaze with her authentic acting it’s almost sickening. Her character’s screwed up maternal superiority is brilliantly portrayed here and granted her with yet another Academy Award nomination. Enough, Meryl!! 

As for Julia Roberts, I have to say I’m not the biggest fan and she often annoys the hell out of me, but August: Osage County had shined a different light on her. Her character is rough and has a lovely vocabulary. She’s feisty and bitter and plays hard ball with her other family members. I loved that. It’s not very usual for Roberts to take on roles like this one and so I thought she did good here. Older and foul mouthed with grey-ish roots, that’s the Julia I like.

Juliette Lewis repeats her usual acting pattern with her ditsy slow speaking demeanor. I say this with all the love in the world and I think she should never change. Julianne Nicholson is very good at playing the good and caring sister. I’m quite fond of this actress. 

It’s not unintentional I didn’t mention any of the male actors in this film. That is to be explained on my next paragraph…

August: Osage County is clearly an all woman’s club, or rather a cat fight club where every draws their nails and lashes at everyone else. The film contains a wonderful ensemble of male actors, but it’s obvious they’re overshadowed by female presence. It is the story of Weston Women after all, so not enough room for testosterone here. Also, it seems as if this week is coincidentally dedicated to strong women on cinema. After my Volver and Tranatino Chicks posts, I’m certain that was my hidden intention all along. Go figure…

My score:

5 lolipop rating

33 thoughts on “August: Osage County (2013)”

    1. I had no idea there was a play. Cool! Who played the dysfunctional mother? Meryl was fantastic! I really did underestimated this film before. It’s very very good!

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  3. I found this a hard watch but I loved the cast especially Margo Martindale, the high priestess of rural Americana. She’s the sweet grandma you’d never turn your back on. And she’s such a wonderful actress. Her performance here really bookends the action, she doesn’t do a lot in the middle act, but she’s a wonderful presence at the beginning and the end.

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    1. Margo Martindale is great here. Her characters are always a bit shady and so I’m not so fond of her normally, but it doesn’t mean she’s not a great actress. My favorite one here is by far Julia Roberts’ Barbara. I loved her tough and bitter attitude and the fact that she has no filters what so ever.

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    2. I like your description of Julia in this film.
      Funnily enough I came across Pretty Woman while channel surfing earlier tonight. I’ve never been her biggest fan, but she’s a survivor and spending 25 years on the A-list is no mean feat.

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  4. Reut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Did you know I live in Oklahoma? I doubt this movie is for me but I’ll take your sweet, sweet word for it!!

    #smooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooch

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    1. An Oklahoma boy? really?? Eric, There are no boobs in this film, but foul language isn’t enough these days?? Come on, man… #smooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooch

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    2. I am! It’s true!

      LOL – #noboobs

      Eh, this just doesn’t look like a movie I would enjoy…. shrugs

      #smoochsmoochsmooch

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